Chapter 3: Letters and Tortuga

Violetta glared at the compass. Two days had passed since Jack had given her the infuriating piece of equipment and the arrow still spun like a top. As she watched the arrow spin, she thought of her family and Fredrick. She knew that one day she would see them all again, but by then Fredrick would have moved on. Violetta hoped that Amelia would find someone to make her happy while she was gone. Suddenly, Violetta got an idea. She knew where Jack kept ink, quills, and paper and fetched them. She sat down and composed a letter:

Dear Amelia,

It has truly been too long since we have been in touch. I write to let you know that I am safe and to put yours and my family's mind at ease. It is hard to tell if or when Captain Sparrow will allow me to return home, but I am quite happy on his ship. At times he is violent and angry, but at other times he is kind and gentle. Please tell my parents that I am alive and well, and that I love them very much. I must end this letter now, for if the Captain finds me writing any letters it will anger him. He only began to trust me a few days ago. Oh, and as for my beloved, tell him that he should do what he must to be happy. I also must tell you that Captain Sparrow is quite charming…

Much Love,

Violetta

Staton

Once the letter was finished, she folded it and slipped it into her bodice. Her plan was to acquire an envelope in Tortuga and send it to her friend. Violetta put away the ink and quill before jack returned. She sat back in her chair, wondering why a pirate had such an effect on her. She did care for Jack, but she was scared to admit it to anyone, even herself. She knew how badly he had been hurt and did not want him to get angry or frustrated with her because she did care about him. Once again, Violetta took out Jack's compass. It no longer spun in its endless circle; it pointed at the door to the cabin, moved to the right, then moved back to the door. The cabin door swung open, revealing Jack Sparrow. She snapped the compass shut, appearing to be irritated with it. Jack smiled at her, something he she had never seen him do before. Even though she was surprised, she smiled back. She noticed Gibbs motioning for her outside the door.

"It still spins, love?"

"It still spins, Jack. I'm going to go out to get some fresh air…" she said as she left, leaving Jack looking dumbfounded.

Gibbs took Violetta down to the crew's quarters.

"What happened to him?"

"What in the world are you talking about, Mr. Gibbs?"

"The captain of course!"

"What's wrong with him?"

"It's like he's gone back to being his old self overnight. I'm worried about him."

"I have yet to see the 'friendly' side of Jack Sparrow that you keep telling me about. I need to ask you a favor, Mr. Gibbs."

"What is it, lass?"

"When we make port in Tortuga come ashore with me and help me find a more appropriate dress than this. I also need to get my hands on more paper and an envelope."

"I will do just that, Violetta. May I ask a favor of you as well?"

"Oh, of course you can."

"Call me Joshamee…"

"I will. Thank you, Joshamee."

"I thank you as well, lass. Now, go back to the captain's cabin. He'll be expecting you."

Violetta hugged her friend and returned to Jack's cabin. She remembered the compass and what it had pointed to earlier. As she stood outside the doors to Jack's cabin, she wondered about his new temperament. The door suddenly swung open, revealing a shirtless Jack. Violetta stared at his many tattoos.

"How long were you planning on staying out there, love? Come in! Tell ol' Jackie about what you've been up to."

She stood there, shocked. Gibbs had been right; it was like an instant change.

"Well, Captain Sparrow, I walked around the deck for a bit, went below and spoke with Joshamee about helping me find a few things in Tortuga, and now I'm here to show you something."

He was a bit more than irritated by the mention of his first mate. He found it odd that he was jealous of their friendship, even if it did seem like more than friendship at times.

"Show me what?" he asked, his mood souring.

"The compass."

"What about it?"

Violetta sighed and picked it up. She opened it and held it in her hands. It still pointed straight at Jack and moved if he did.

"Come see for yourself, Captain."

Jack sighed and walked to where she stood. He looked down at the compass and saw it pointing to him. He moved slightly to the left; the arrow followed him. He was pleasantly surprised by this.

"You've taken a liking to me, then?"

"I can't say that I haven't because that would be lying to you."

Jack smiled at her and lightly touched her face. Her skin was smooth in comparison to his rough hands. She flinched slightly at his touch, not knowing what he was going to do.

"It's alright, love. I won't hurt you."

Violetta nodded and took his hand from her face. She held it in hers for a bit, staring up into Jack's dark eyes. The eyes that stared back at her still showed hurt, and there was almost no trace of anger. She wondered why. Why he was so special. Why she cared about him. Why she had given up on everything she loved to stay in his company. Violetta was vexed by her lack of reasons for staying here.

"Captain Sparrow, I am going below to speak with Joshamee again. I will return shortly."

"Alright, love." he replied, a bit annoyed.

She went below again and found Gibbs asleep. She shook him for a bit, not managing to wake him.

"Okay, we're just going to have to do this the hard way…" she mumbled, gripping the side of the hammock in which he slept.

In an instant, she flipped the hammock and dumped her friend in the floor.

"Curse you for livin'!" he yelled, angry at having been woken.

"What way is that to speak to a lady?"

"Oh, my goodness, forgive me, Violetta! I had no idea…"

"Yes, yes, it's quite alright. Joshamee, why would I choose to stay here?"

"I don't know. Have you chosen to stay here?"

"The compass points to Jack. Every time. He moves, it moves."

"Maybe your heart knows somethin' your head doesn't."

"What?"

"Your heart, lass. It might know something your head doesn't yet."

Violetta allowed him to take her into his arms and comfort her. She hadn't realized how long it had been since she had been hugged like that. She pulled back from him, stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. Then, she went back to Jack's cabin; Violetta found Jack frustrated and staring at the compass.

"Where does it point, Jack?"

"What did you call me?"

"I called you Jack. Why?"

"It's….been a long time since a woman has called my name."

Jack stared at her, his frustration disappearing. Every time she called his name his heart began to pound. He didn't understand it. He barely knew this girl, and yet she had such an effect on him. He knew that the ship would be in Tortuga by morning and Scarlett and Giselle would be waiting for him. What would they think of him hauling some girl along with him? That would earn him a good slap or two. Besides, she had Gibbs. She wouldn't need him at all.

Violetta watched him stare at her. It seemed like there was some conflict going on in his head. She cautiously approached him and touched his cheek. She smiled as his eyes fluttered closed and his hand pressed hers to his cheek.

"Come now, Jack. It's time for us to go to bed. Joshamee told me that we'll be in Tortuga by morning. I would like to get my errands finished before nightfall, and it won't help if I get up after noon."

"I do suppose you are right, Violetta. You have such a beautiful name… Share my bed with me tonight. I give you my word that I'll keep me hands to meself."

"I will, Jack. Thank you. I expect you to keep your word, as any gentleman should."

Jack swallowed hard and nodded. It would be hard to keep his hands off of her, but he swore that he would find a way to do it. Violetta made herself comfortable in his bed, leaving space for him to join her. Jack positioned himself in the remaining part of the bed, his back turned to her. After a while, her breathing slowed and he knew she was asleep. Jack barely slept that night. He was more focused on keeping his hands to himself. He wondered why he wanted to touch her so badly and what made her stand out in his mind. Eventually, he did get to sleep, but it was a very uncomfortable sleep.

Violetta woke in the morning and found that Jack was gone. She discovered Gibbs waiting for her outside the cabin, ready to escort her into town.

"Has Jack already gone?"

"Aye, the Captain left an hour ago. He's been acting very strangely toward me lately… Do you know anything about it?"

"Whenever I mention you his attitude changes; he gets irritated. It is very strange…"

"I see. Well, we can talk more about that later. We've got things to do, have we not?"

"We do have things to do." She replied smiling.

He helped her into the longboat and began to row to the dock. Gibbs watched as she looked around curiously. It had obviously been years since she had been away from Port Royal. He was a bit worried about running into Jack. Gibbs could tell that she cared for Jack more than she ought to, and seeing him with Scarlett and Giselle and drunk could upset her.

"Lass, I think I should warn ye about the things you'll see. There'll be a lot of unsavory characters, especially around the evening. They'll try to get at you, but I'll be around. No need to worry." He said.

Gibbs found himself unable to tell her about Jack's tendencies when he was in Tortuga. He only hoped that they did not run into him. At the dock, Violetta helped him tie up the longboat and followed him to what she assumed was a post office. Gibbs left her for a moment and brought back a quill and an envelope. She took the items, sealed the letter in the envelope and addressed it. She handed it to the person running the place and left with Gibbs.

"Jack asked me to give this to you." He said, handing her a small drawstring pouch with coins in it.

"Did he say anything else?"

"He did; he said that there's a dress waiting for you at the shop. I don't know how he could possibly know your measurements, but this is Jack we're dealing with."

"What do you mean?"

"Jack has a strange way of knowing things that he shouldn't."

"I see…"

Violetta thought about his words as she followed him to the dress shop. She left him outside and went in. Minutes later, she returned to her friend with a box containing the dress. The shopkeeper hadn't allowed her to see it, but Violetta thought Jack knew what he was doing. The friends returned to the longboat and stowed the box under a net, then they went for a walk around town. Night had begun to creep up on them and drunken fools and whores had begun to come out. Gibbs kept a sharp eye out, determined to keep her away from the drunken Jack Sparrow.

"'ello, luv." A deep, slurred voice called.

"Oh, hell, not you! Anyone but you." Gibbs muttered.

"Wha' yeh doin' wiv 'im?"

"Ignore him, Violetta, please. He isn't himself."

Violetta turned back to look at the man who addressed her. Jack Sparrow, drunk and in the company of two women she did not know. The two women hung off of him, asking why he was talking to her.

"Captain Sparrow, I believe you already have company for tonight. I would appreciate it if you kept well away from me."

Her words only served to anger the drunken pirate. He approached her and stood toe-to-toe with her.

"You reek of alcohol, Captain. Apparently those two women like it. Return to your whores, for I have no need for your rum-soaked person."

Jack struck her with the back of his hand, knocking her to the ground. Gibbs managed to get her back to her feet and out of Jack's reach.

"You will not speak to Cap'n Jack Sparrah tha' way!" he slurred angrily.

Gibbs glared at his captain and led Violetta back to the longboat. He took her back to the ship and made her comfortable in the captain's cabin. That night, he stayed with her there and did anything he could for her. By morning, a noticeable bruise had appeared on her face. Gibbs touched it lightly, wondering just how hard Jack had hit her. The touch caused her to stir a bit, but it didn't wake her. Jack Sparrow made his appearance by noon, still a bit hung over. Gibbs stayed with Violetta, who was awake by this time, waiting for the captain to enter his quarters. Violetta was staring out the window when Jack opened the door and entered the room. Gibbs stared him down angrily.

"What are you looking at me like that for, Mr. Gibbs?"

"Joshamee, can I show him?" Violetta asked softly.

"Aye, lass, I would be glad if you did."

She turned to face the two, the purple bruise on her face standing out above all else. Jack's jaw dropped in shock. He tried to get close to her, but she hid behind his first mate. It didn't surprise him; she was unusually attached to him.

"Violetta, who did this to you?" Jack asked.

"You did…" she replied.

Jack shook his head in denial, not remembering even seeing her. He only remembered seeing Scarlett and Giselle and having some rum. Striking her was not found anywhere in his memory. He wanted her to give him another chance, but knew his chances were slim.

"You were drunk when you did this. Captain, she's scared of you now. Did you not notice that when you tried to touch her a moment a go she fled from you?"

"I did notice… Violetta, forgive me. I'm not myself when I've got the rum in me. Had I been sober I never would have hurt you."

Violetta stepped out from behind Gibbs and approached the captain. She allowed him to touch her bruised face. She saw the hurt look on his face; it was as if someone had slapped him as well.

"Jack, what happens in Tortuga will stay in Tortuga." She whispered.